Work permit issues lead to delays for Yellowknife diamond factory reopening

Almod Diamonds purchased shuttered plant in December 2016, aiming to open within 6 months

A sold sign is displayed at the long-closed Tiffany diamond cutting and polishing plant near the Yellowknife airport in December 2016. Almod Diamonds, the plants owner, says issues with work permits and visas have led to delays in its reopening. (Randall McKenzie/CBC)

That put the company on a timeline to open the plant in the summer of 2017. However, as of October, it has still not opened.

A company spokesperson said the delays are due to setbacks obtaining work visas and permits for its employees. At the announcement of the purchase, Almod said 10 employees will initially be stationed at the plant, though they will come from the company's other operations.

No date has been set for the official reopening of the plant.

Corrections

An earlier version of this story stated that the polishing plant was previously owned by Deepak Kumar. In fact, Kumar owned a different plant.